Conservation
Land Trust Activities
The Galveston Bay Foundation works to conserve land and valuable aquatic habitats such as wetlands and marshes through ownership of approximately 3000 acres of land, and through our continually growing conservation easement program. By holding either the title or a conservation easement on a parcel of land containing wetlands or other valuable habitats, the Foundation endeavors to maintain the mosaic of natural system functions and values of the Galveston Bay system that are important to maintaining our quality of life, economic vitality, and unique population of resident and migratory wildlife.
The Foundation accepts donations of land and conservation easements on a case-by-case basis. Conservation easements are also an excellent tool for landowners who wish to conserve habitat on their land in perpetuity, but who also wish to retain ownership of the land to enjoy or for their family. Donors of land or easements can often take federal tax benefits for the value of their donation. When the Galveston Bay Foundation accepts a title to a property or a conservation easement on that property, we accept the responsibility to maintain the property and/or easement forever. For that reason, the Foundation evaluates each tract carefully to determine that the tract supports our conservation goals and strategic plan. Also, the Foundation maintains a Stewardship Fund, which is designed to provide the financial resources necessary to maintain our land holdings and conservation easement in perpetuity.
The Galveston Bay Foundation is a member of the National Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and has adopted and supports the Standards and Practices of LTA. The Foundation is also a participating member of the Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC).
Current Galveston Bay Foundation properties:
- Sweetwater Preserve, Galveston County
- Pierce Marsh, Galveston County
- Frost Dean Tract, Galveston County
- Texas City Tract, Galveston County
- Rich Sanctuary, Chambers County
- Shipe Woods, Chambers County
